A solar energy utilization device, comprising a light energy utilization device (200) and a convex light concentrating device (100). The convex light concentrating device (100) is filled with a transparent liquid (130). The convex light concentrating device (100) has a light-transmissive convex sidewall (110) provided obliquely, and sunlight can be transmitted to the transparent liquid (130) from the light-transmissive convex sidewall (110). A first light energy utilization part (210) is provided at the bottom of an accommodating cavity, and sunlight transmitted from the transparent liquid (130) to the light-transmissive convex sidewall (110) forms a total internal reflection phenomenon, so that the convex light concentrating device (100) more conveniently concentrates the sunlight onto the first light energy utilization part (210).

A system and mechanism that redirects sunlight towards a target destination. The system has an array of double prismatic discs that are controlled by a control module that includes a light detecting module. The system is modular and will work for any elevation and azimuth of direct sunlight. The system will further provide one or more remote functionalities. The system can be used to provide collimated solar side or top illumination for indoor spaces, directly or in combination with reflectors. The system may be combined with a hybrid solar lighting (HSL) panel to provide indoor illumination through optical fiber cables. The system may be combined with a concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) panel or with a concentrated solar thermal (CST) panel to produce electricity or heat respectively. The system replaces the solar tracker typically used in these applications, which enables the assembly to be integrated in buildings and vehicles without altering their aesthetics.

An optical light-transmission element for a solar energy assembly having a solar cell includes at least one harvesting portion for directing solar light onto the solar cell. For optimum operation of the solar energy assembly, the optical light-transmission element and the solar cell have to be carefully aligned. In order to facilitate the alignment, the optical light-transmission element further comprises at least one alignment control portion for concentrating the solar light onto a second focusing region, which is spaced apart from the primary focusing region. A method for aligning such a solar energy assembly involves focusing light on a focusing region that is spaced apart from the solar cell, and adjusting at least one of the position of the solar cell and the harvesting region until the focusing region is located at a predetermined target zone, which is spaced apart from the solar cell.

A system and method for converting the sun's electromagnetic radiation to work, where the system collects the radiation with at least first one lens or mirror. Splitting means split the radiation spectrum, preferably using prism, set of prisms, diffraction grating, or set of beam splitters. Second one lens or mirror is configured to collect the radiation separately for each wavelength range. At least one fiber optic cable is configured to transfer the radiation to electromagnetically or electrically operated appliance, device or machine.

The invention relates to a holding system (1) for mounting a photovoltaic module (6) to a base (8) by means of ground supports (2, 2a, 44, 44a) which comprise a bearing head (4, 4a, 50, 50a), a ground support body (22) and a bearing surface (28, 48) on the bottom side which counteracts a penetration of the ground supports into the base (8), wherein the ground supports (2, 2a, 46, 46a) comprise on their head side a bearing plate (14, 14, 14a, 14a, 54, 54, 54a, 54a) that is disposed at a slanted angle () in relation to the base (8), and wherein the ground supports (2, 2a, 46, 46a) are provided and prepared such that, in the mounted state, the bearing plates (14, 14, 14a, 14a, 54, 54, 54a, 54a) of a ground support pair (2, 2a, 46, 46a) are spaced apart from each other vertically in relation to the base (8) and from each other horizontally in adjustment to the photovoltaic module (6) and that they are aligned with each other at least in essence.

A method of manufacturing a transparent pane, in particular a glass pane, which includes on at least one of its main surfaces a surface structure including an assembly of specified individual motifs in relief, in particular pyramids, cones, or truncated cones, created by embossing or by rolling. A structure is created on the surface of the pane constituted by individual motifs, based on one or more basic motifs but which are distinguished from each other by their depth, their height, and/or the perimeter of their base area, and/or by the position of their peak with respect to their base. With this variation, formation of intensity peaks of the reflected light is prevented and at the same time a high quality of light trapping is obtained by panes suitable, for example, for solar applications.

Facades, roofs, and greenhouses that may capable of self-cooling are provided. For example, a fa?ade for a greenhouse may include an internal glass wall and an external glass wall in a parallel plane to the internal glass wall and separated from the internal glass wall by a first distance. The distance may be configured to permit passage of a heat transfer liquid. The internal glass wall can include a first face, facing the external glass wall. The first face of the internal glass wall can include a reflective surface configured to reflect solar radiation into the heat transfer liquid when in operation.

A modular kit for integration and installation of one or more bioreactors for microalgae cultivation includes: at least one bioreactor for microalgae cultivation, in the form of a vertically arranged transparent tubular column; a supporting structure adapted to integrate and support the base of the at least one bioreactor, and also adapted to internally house a first connection to a system for loading and unloading a cultivation vector fluid into/from the at least one bioreactor, and a second connection to a system for supplying CO2-supplemented air into the at least one bioreactor; multiple modules forming respective frames with internal empty spaces and adapted to be connected to one another to house, in the empty spaces, the at least one bioreactor; the multiple modules being also so shaped as to convey filtered light into the at least one bioreactor.

A planar non-imaging optical element (10) for a solar concentrator is described. Groups of circular and concentrically arranged microstructures (35) are arranged to refract light incident normal to the plane (504) of the optical element (10) towards the centre point (502). The angle of the microstructures (35) with respect to the plane (504) of the optical element (10) within each group increases with increasing radial distance from the centre point (502) and are selected such that upon normally incident light (60) they to form a focal area common to all of the groups at a focal plane (506) of the optical element (10) and further selected such that the light refracted from the smallest radial distance from the centre point (502) within a given group and the light refracted from the largest radial distance from the centre point (502) within a given group cross at a plane (518) closer to the optical element (10) than is the focal plane (506).

A method of manufacturing a transparent pane, in particular a glass pane, which includes on at least one of its main surfaces a surface structure including an assembly of specified individual motifs in relief, in particular pyramids, cones, or truncated cones, created by embossing or by rolling. A structure is created on the surface of the pane constituted by individual motifs, based on one or more basic motifs but which are distinguished from each other by their depth, their height, and/or the perimeter of their base area, and/or by the position of their peak with respect to their base. With this variation, formation of intensity peaks of the reflected light is prevented and at the same time a high quality of light trapping is obtained by panes suitable, for example, for solar applications.